Course Content

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” (Plato).  Our innovative Politics curriculum has been designed to provide students with a clear working knowledge of political systems and relationships in the UK and around the globe. On this basis of understanding, students practice their ability to apply ideologies to contemporary political debates. This nurtures the critical thinking skills of our students, as a result they develop a keen sense of their own political evaluations and can defend their views with conviction. Our Politics students are therefore prepared to be active participators in our democracy.

Unit 1: UK Politics
• Political Participation: democracy and participation, political parties, electoral systems, voting behaviour and the role of the media.
• Core Political Ideas: conservatism, liberalism, socialism.

Unit 2: UK Government
• UK Government: the constitution, parliament, Prime Minister and executive, relationships between the branches, and feminism.
Unit 3: Global Comparative Politics
• Sovereignty and globalisation, global governance (political, economic, human rights, environmental), power and developments, regionalism and the EU, comparative theories.

Assessment

Three written exams, each lasting 2 hours and worth 33.3% of the qualification.

Expectations

To be accepted onto the course students need at least a Grade 6 at GCSE English Language and a Grade 6 in one other essay based subject such as History, Geography, Sociology or Jewish Education. The course demands good essay writing skills, an interest in current affairs and the willingness to work hard at school and at home. Students will be set independent learning tasks regularly and will also be expected to carry out their own independent reading. Students will be expected to read a quality online newspaper to keep up to date with political developments.

Examination Board: Edexcel.  Course Number: 9PL0